Opinion: Visiting Switzerland on a cheap coach trip in the late 1980's we were told that if you broke the law you had to pay for any time spent in jail once your sentence was served, in money or time and labour, and on the surface it sounded a good idea.

But trust a Tory government in the UK to add a whole new dimension to such laws and implement monstrous changes which will hit the most vulnerable people of this country hardest.

As UK parliament was dissolved in the run up to the May 7 General Election the Tories made sure time was wasted preventing a Mayfair Tax Loophole debate. William Hague wasted time attacking the speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow but only after they had made sure there was time to push through charges for court proceedings.

Tory Justice Secretary Chris Grayling masterminded the changes and the government website says: "The Government considers that convicted adult offenders who use our criminal courts should pay towards the cost of running them. The Criminal Courts Charge will make it possible to recover some of the costs of the criminal courts from these offenders, reducing the burden on taxpayers."

It adds "Courts already have a number of powers to require offenders to make payments including compensation for victims, the Victim Surcharge - which funds victims’ services - prosecution costs, and fines. Currently, there are no charges payable that cover the cost of administering a criminal court case by HM Courts and Tribunals Service."

If an offender is aged under 18 there will be no charge levied but if an 'adult age' offender launches an appeal which is unsuccessful there will be a charge.

What a good way to stop people seeking justice, says she with heavy sarcasm.

Charges are predicted to be between £150 and £1200.

This is another story which has been flying under-the-radar but in the last few pre-election days it is one of many being reported.

There is still time to overturn this ridiculous piece of legislation and the government that designed it but not if the next British government includes the Conservatives.

Tom Smith wrote an excellent piece on the new charges where he said "On 12th February 2015, the Criminal Justice and Courts Act was granted royal assent. Six weeks later, the policy – enabled by Section 54 of the statute – was announced and laid before Parliament. Just over a fortnight later, the charge was enacted by statutory instrument."

Government can be a slow laborious slog but not when hitting the vulnerable is on the agenda.

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